Method for applying insulating tubing on wire cables, conduits, and the like



Jan 2, 1945- M. o. sl-:ARLE 2,366,359

METHOD FOR APPLYING INSULATING TUBING ON WIRE CABLES, CONDUITS, AND THE LIKE Filed Aug. 1a, 1945 2 sheets-sheet 1 Inventar Jan. 2, 1945. M. o. sEARLE 2,365,359

METHOD FOR. APPLYING INSULATING TUBING ON WIRE CABLES, CONDUITS, AND THE LIKE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2v Filed Aug. 18, 1943 Inventor l/away Mm Patented Jan. 2, 1945 PATENT oFFlcE METHOD FOR -APPLYING INSULATING TUBING ON WIRE CABLES, CONDUITS,

AND THE LIKE Marshall O. Searle, Beverly Hills, Calif. Application August 18, 1943, Serial No. 499,147 1 Claim. (Cl. 2li-155.41)

The present invention relates broadly to the application of rubber, synthetic rubber, or other flexible plastic tubing over flexible metal conduits of a type used particularly in aircraft wiring systems, such as referred to in my colpending application Serial No. 441,492, filed May v2, 1942.

An important object of the present invention is to provide novel means for inserting and feeding the flexible insulation tubing over the exible conduit and embodying the use of air pressure means for expanding the flexible insulation tubing to facilitate the placing thereof on the conduit.

A further object is to provide an apparatus of this character of simple and practical construction, which is eiiicient and reliable in performance, relatively inexpensive to manufacture and otherwise well adapted for the purposes for which the same is intended.

Other objects and advantages reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, refervmerals refer to like partsL throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevational View of a work bench for supporting the exible :conduits in a horizontal position while applying the insulation tubing or sleeve thereon.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary side elevational View showing one end of the conduit with the Woven metal tubing twisted to close the same.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing 'the tubing in position for vfeeding on to the conduit, and y Figure 4 is a side elevational view of one end of the completed conduit.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein for the purpose of illustration I have disclosed a preferred embodiment of the invention, the numeral 5 designates a Work bench on which is attached a block 6. A supporting rod 1 has one end secured to the block and extends horizontally therefrom in spaced relation above the bench. f

A flexible metal conduit or cable is shown at 5 8 and is sleeved on the rod 1. The conduit/is constructed of an inner metal tubing 9 similar Ito that employed in constructing BX cable and over which is placed a flexibleA woven metal cover I0.

The outer end of the woven cover I is pulled outwardly beyond the adjacent end of the tubing 9 and the strands Il of the cover l0 are twisted to yclose the outer end of the conduit.

One end of a rubber, synthetic rubber, or plasl tic tubing l2 is then inserted over the yclosed end of the conduit, the other end of the rubber tubing or sleeve I2 being attached to an air supply pipe I3 having a valve, I4 therein which is controlled by a cable l5 from a foot treadle I6 adjacent the work bench, pressure ofair entering the sleeve or tubing expanding the same .suiiiciently to easily slide the tubing over the conduit, after which the valve is Closed and the contraction of the-rubber sleeve or tubing thenv '25 causes the same to fit tightly on the outer surface of the conduit.

It is believed the details of construction, operation and manner of use of the devi-ce will be' readily understood from the foregoing without further detailed explanation.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

A method of placing a close fitting resilient cover on the woven metal casing of a flexible metal conduit and comprising twisting one end of the loose metal strands at one end of the woven metal casing spirally upon itself to close said end of the conduit and partially inserting the closed end in one end of the cover, subjecting the cover to internal fluid pressure to expand theb cover, land rmanually feeding the expanded cover` onto the casing.

, MARSHALL o, SEARLE. 

